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Will AT&T port a number after activation?

B

Betelgeuse

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 14, 2008
90
0
Does anyone know if AT&T will port a number after activation? I was just going to go into the Apple store on launch day (or shortly thereafter) to get an iPhone 3GS. However, now that I've seen the Bing cashback deal, I'm thinking I'm definitely going to order from AT&T. The problem is that my current cell phone (w/ T-Mobile) is my only phone. Moreover, these next couple weeks are going to be busy for me, so I can't really be without a phone for very long at all.

So, is it possible for me to pre-order the iPhone now through AT&T, tell them I want a new number, and then port over my old T-Mobile number when I actually get the iPhone?

As a related question, do people know when AT&T will typically port a number over? Will they start the process when I order (i.e. now, for example), when they ship the phone (i.e. next Thursday), or does it happen when I receive the phone?

Thanks!
 
fireshot91 said:
They probably will give in sooner or later, but they'll be A holes about it from the time you call.
Click to expand...

Meaning what? That they'll resist me porting a number after I activate?

Say that I just pre-order now and tell them I want to port my number. When are they likely to actually start the porting process?
 
Betelgeuse said:
Meaning what? That they'll resist me porting a number after I activate?

Say that I just pre-order now and tell them I want to port my number. When are they likely to actually start the porting process?
Click to expand...

as soon as you tell them
 
no. they would port over your number, BUT

you would not lose use of your current phone UNTIL you actually activate your new phone.
 
Betelgeuse said:
Does anyone know if AT&T will port a number after activation? I was just going to go into the Apple store on launch day (or shortly thereafter) to get an iPhone 3GS. However, now that I've seen the Bing cashback deal, I'm thinking I'm definitely going to order from AT&T. The problem is that my current cell phone (w/ T-Mobile) is my only phone. Moreover, these next couple weeks are going to be busy for me, so I can't really be without a phone for very long at all.

So, is it possible for me to pre-order the iPhone now through AT&T, tell them I want a new number, and then port over my old T-Mobile number when I actually get the iPhone?

As a related question, do people know when AT&T will typically port a number over? Will they start the process when I order (i.e. now, for example), when they ship the phone (i.e. next Thursday), or does it happen when I receive the phone?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

If you create a new number with AT&T and want to transfer your number from T-Mobile the easiest situation would be to go to a COR store and have the Rep call the Port department for you or for Customer Care to transfer you to Port. It is not a hassle and we are happy to help you. The port process starts after you receive your phone from AT&T and call in to activate. It usually takes about 15 mins in a COR store for you to start reciving calls on your AT&T phone; immediately for outgoing. I've seen it take up to three hours though.

fireshot91 said:
They probably will give in sooner or later, but they'll be A holes about it from the time you call.
Click to expand...
I've never had a CSR be frank with me when I've tried to port customers over so I don't see them being "A holes" to the actual customer.

As always please don't hesitate to PM me for specific questions regarding to AT&T and I will be happy to elaborate.
 
yes and it only takes about 10 minutes. I did exactly what you want, no fees were incurred.

Your best bet is to go to a corporate store, not a franchise or authorized reseller.
 
saDeRmac said:
If you create a new number with AT&T and want to transfer your number from T-Mobile the easiest situation would be to go to a COR store and have the Rep call the Port department for you or for Customer Care to transfer you to Port. It is not a hassle and we are happy to help you. The port process starts after you receive your phone from AT&T and call in to activate. It usually takes about 15 mins in a COR store for you to start reciving calls on your AT&T phone; immediately for outgoing. I've seen it take up to three hours though.

I've never had a CSR be frank with me when I've tried to port customers over so I don't see them being "A holes" to the actual customer.

As always please don't hesitate to PM me for specific questions regarding to AT&T and I will be happy to elaborate.
Click to expand...

hey sadermac, if i get a new number because of the hassle with my prepaid. if i dont like the number itunes gives me, can i simply call 611 and ask them to give me options to change my number? do i have to pay to change numbers?
 
saDeRmac said:
If you create a new number with AT&T and want to transfer your number from T-Mobile the easiest situation would be to go to a COR store and have the Rep call the Port department for you or for Customer Care to transfer you to Port. It is not a hassle and we are happy to help you. The port process starts after you receive your phone from AT&T and call in to activate. It usually takes about 15 mins in a COR store for you to start reciving calls on your AT&T phone; immediately for outgoing. I've seen it take up to three hours though.
Click to expand...

OK. I think I understand, but I just want to make sure. If I pre-order today and give them my information for porting they won't actually initiate the port until I receive the phone? In other words, I'll receive the phone (on next Friday or whenever) and I will then call (or go online or whatever) and they will only start the porting process then? There's no chance of them porting out my number before I receive the phone?

Although, it also sounds like it would just require an additional trip to a "COR store" if I ordered an iPhone with a new number (Sorry; but what does "COR" mean?). Is there any additional charge for porting a number in this way (i.e. getting a NEW number at activation and then porting over an old number after activation)?

Sorry to be so pedantic, but had issues with Tmobile prematurely porting me when I last got a phone.
 
bruinsrme said:
yes and it only takes about 10 minutes. I did exactly what you want, no fees were incurred.

Your best bet is to go to a corporate store, not a franchise or authorized reseller.
Click to expand...

Oh wow. You answered my question as I was typing this message. So, you were able to port over an old number to your new phone after activation? In 10 minutes with no fees? Sounds like this is what I should do, then.
 
Betelgeuse said:
Oh wow. You answered my question as I was typing this message. So, you were able to port over an old number to your new phone after activation? In 10 minutes with no fees? Sounds like this is what I should do, then.
Click to expand...

Very easy.
I had my iphone 2 months. when I switched my wife and son to ATT they ported my old verizon number to my 2 months old iphone.

Bring an old bill with your number on it that may help as well.
 
you can port your number 30 days from activation for free..after that they charge you
 
xleedaniel said:
hey sadermac, if i get a new number because of the hassle with my prepaid. if i dont like the number itunes gives me, can i simply call 611 and ask them to give me options to change my number? do i have to pay to change numbers?
Click to expand...
I would go to a Corparate Store before ordering the iPhone to change your number over to a postpaid plan so you can change your number. If you still have prepaid credit on your account it will be transferred to your new account. There is an $18 transfer fee associated with creating a new postpaid account.

Betelgeuse said:
OK. I think I understand, but I just want to make sure. If I pre-order today and give them my information for porting they won't actually initiate the port until I receive the phone? In other words, I'll receive the phone (on next Friday or whenever) and I will then call (or go online or whatever) and they will only start the porting process then? There's no chance of them porting out my number before I receive the phone?

Although, it also sounds like it would just require an additional trip to a "COR store" if I ordered an iPhone with a new number (Sorry; but what does "COR" mean?). Is there any additional charge for porting a number in this way (i.e. getting a NEW number at activation and then porting over an old number after activation)?

Sorry to be so pedantic, but had issues with Tmobile prematurely porting me when I last got a phone.
Click to expand...
The port is initiated when you call AT&T to activate your new phone. There is NO chance that your number will be ported before you activate. That is illegal and AT&T can be fined hugely by the FCC.

COR means Corporate Owned Retail. This is in comparison to a Retail Agent such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy or an Authorized Reseller. No additional charges will incur except for the normal $36 activation fee that you are charged wether or not you port at first or port later. There is no limit to the time you wish to wait until you port over from T-Mobile.
 
saDeRmac said:
I would go to a Corparate Store before ordering the iPhone to change your number over to a postpaid plan so you can change your number. If you still have prepaid credit on your account it will be transferred to your new account. There is an $18 transfer fee associated with creating a new postpaid account.
Click to expand...

does that mean i would have to start paying monthly with a contract? then arent i out of the subsidized price for the iphone?
 
Awesome. Thanks very much, saDeRmac.

I just ordered my 3GS and decided I'll get a new number and port over my old one after I get it. I can't wait!
 
xleedaniel said:
does that mean i would have to start paying monthly with a contract? then arent i out of the subsidized price for the iphone?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure of your question. If you want an iPhone 3G/3GS you must be on a post paid contracted plan. The subsidized price is because you signed for that contract. If you are currently a GoPhone customer AT&T can transfer your number (contract free) to a post paid plan were you will be able to purchase an iPhone 3G/3GS.
 
saDeRmac said:
I'm not sure of your question. If you want an iPhone 3G/3GS you must be on a post paid contracted plan. The subsidized price is because you signed for that contract. If you are currently a GoPhone customer AT&T can transfer your number (contract free) to a post paid plan were you will be able to purchase an iPhone 3G/3GS.
Click to expand...

i guess what im trying to say is, i want to buy the iphone 3gs at an apple store because i have a gift card. does that mean i have to make a trip to COR att and switch to postpaid, and then go to apple and get the 3gs? which means 18 dollars transfer fee + 36 activation fee from the iphone...
 
xleedaniel said:
i guess what im trying to say is, i want to buy the iphone 3gs at an apple store because i have a gift card. does that mean i have to make a trip to COR att and switch to postpaid, and then go to apple and get the 3gs? which means 18 dollars transfer fee + 36 activation fee from the iphone...
Click to expand...
There will be no $36 activation fee because your an existing customer. Basically you are charged $18 for the transfer and $18 for the upgrade which I might add if you call Cust Care they should credit the $18 for the transfer b/c you upgraded to the iPhone and switched to a postpaid plan. Bottomline: if you want to keep your number its just a little more than if you wanted to get a new number. If you wanted to get a new number and you didn't like it CC charges $36 to change it.
 
Apple

Ok I have a question and after reading I'm still a little unsure. So let's say I currently Have a cell phone with Verizon and I go ahead and order My 3GS from Apple.com and sent to my home. Will it arrive with a pre-set number? I want to port my number from my Verizon account to ATT, Will I be able to do so if I order from Apple.com? Any cost associated with this? Thank you for any help you can offer and sorry if this has been answered already.:D
 
Gatorac said:
Ok I have a question and after reading I'm still a little unsure. So let's say I currently Have a cell phone with Verizon and I go ahead and order My 3GS from Apple.com and sent to my home. Will it arrive with a pre-set number? I want to port my number from my Verizon account to ATT, Will I be able to do so if I order from Apple.com? Any cost associated with this? Thank you for any help you can offer and sorry if this has been answered already.:D
Click to expand...
If you have already ordered the phone and Apple did not ask you if you wanted to port your number over then you would need to call Cust Care to port your Verizon number over to AT&T. No costs are associated with this other than the $36 activation fee all new customers pay port or not.

As always any specific questions can be answered by PM

saDeRmac
 
saDeRmac said:
If you have already ordered the phone and Apple did not ask you if you wanted to port your number over then you would need to call Cust Care to port your Verizon number over to AT&T. No costs are associated with this other than the $36 activation fee all new customers pay port or not.

As always any specific questions can be answered by PM

saDeRmac
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the solid information saDeRmac. It's very very helpful.

My plan is to pre-order from Apple, then take it into a COR store over the weekend to get the number ported. Seems like a certain way to make sure I get a phone on the 19th. Besides, my wife is the account holder of the number I want to port and I think it will be simpler to port afterwards.

Any holes in my plan??
 
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